Minutes 01-21-2020 Business Meeting

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9 6. Youth Water Academy 7. Infrastructure Investments Key System Resiliency Improvements: OWASA has completed key portions of several major projects to improve resiliency throughout the community's water and wastewater system. This quarter, significant progress was made on projects at the Jones Ferry Water Treatment Plant (WTP): Design work has been completed to simplify and increase resiliency of a complex piping network around the WTP. We expect to award a construction contract for the project in March and estimate construction will run from summer 2020 through summer 2021. This project was taken up following the November 2018 water emergency. The design process has also been completed for a project at the WTP to replace aging bulk chemical storage tanks, a safety containment area, and chemical system feed pumps. Preliminary work is underway to convert the remainder of the WTP's electrical distribution system to an updated voltage standard and provide automatic transfer capabilities for on-site generators during power outages. Overall, OWASA has invested nearly $3 million this quarter in design and construction work improving the water distribution system resiliency. OWASA Quarterly Report January 16, 2020 Executive Director Transition Update: OWASA's Board of Directors is working with Slavin Management Consultants to recruit OWASA's next Executive Director. That finial hiring decision is expected by late April or early May 2020. New Revenue Bonds: OWASA issued revenue bonds totaling $18.6 million. The bond terms include a 2.7% interest rate over 25 years. OWASA continues to be rated highly by all three credit rating agencies: S&P (AAA), Fitch (AA+), and Moody's (Aa1). The governance of our organization, as well as the stability of the community's economy (anchored by UNC) plays a large part in our high rating. OWASA has refinanced for better interest rates over the years— resulting in cost savings for customers — but this is the first instance of raising funds through revenue bonds since 2006. Proceeds will be used to fund Capital Improvement Projects. PFAS Monitoring Update: OWASA's treated drinking water remains safe and meets all current Federal and State regulations and health advisories and treated wastewater remains safe for the environment. OWASA supports and participates in science-based research to inform these regulations and protect water quality and human health. In January 2018, OWASA initiated a proactive monitoring program for PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances —for our raw reservoir water and treated drinking water; sampling continued on a quarterly basis throughout 2019 of our Cane Creek Reservoir raw water and treated drinking water. PFAS are man-made chemicals used in a variety of everyday products to increase resistance to water, grease, or stains. PFAS are also present in aqueous firefighting foams. There are thousands of PFAS compounds in existence, including GenX.